Lavandula plant named ‘IBPRU41016’

ABSTRACT

‘IBPRU41016’ is a new and distinctive variety of Lavandula plant which is characterized by a compact growth habit, an abundance of dark violet-blue flowers borne on terminal spike inflorescences held slightly above the foliage, and very large purple sterile bracts with heavily undulating margins at the apex of each inflorescence. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Lavandula penduculata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Lavandula disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘IBPRU41016’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rightsapplication number 2017/0621, filed Mar. 1, 2017, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘IBPRU41016’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollinationbreeding program carried out by the inventor at a commercial nursery inWonga Park, Victoria, Australia. The objective of the breeding programwas to develop a cultivar or cultivars with a compact growth habit,shorter inflorescences and large infertile bracts of various colors. InNovember of 2013, the inventor performed a controlled cross-pollinationof the seed parent, Lavandula ‘Blueberry Ruffles’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,305), and Lavandula ‘Violet Lace’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,254), thepollen parent. Seed U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,254), the pollen parent. Seedfrom said cross was harvested, then germinated in February of 2014, andthe resulting seedlings were grown to a mature size in a 140 mm nurserycontainer in order to evaluate for a desirable combination of commercialcharacteristics such as compact plant size, large inflorescence andunique flower and bract color. In October of 2014, one candidate plantwas observed to exhibit a unique combination of traits and, afterconfirmation of the distinctness and stability of the characteristicsfirst observed, the inventor selected the new Lavandula cultivar,‘IBPRU41016’, for commercial introduction.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘IBPRU41016’ was firstaccomplished in February of 2015 by rooting softwood stem cuttings at acommercial nursery in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia. Four successivegenerations have shown that the unique features of the instant cultivarare stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘IBPRU41016’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length,and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. Thefollowing traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Lavandula cultivar,‘IBPRU41016’.

-   -   1. Lavandula ‘IBPRU41016’ exhibits a compact growth habit; and    -   2. Lavandula ‘IBPRU41016’ exhibits dark green foliage with dense        tomentose pubescence and undulating margins; and    -   3. Lavandula ‘IBPRU41016’ exhibits an abundance of dark        violet-blue flowers borne on terminal spike inflorescences held        slightly above the foliage; and    -   4. Lavandula ‘IBPRU41016’ exhibits very large purple sterile        bracts with heavily undulating margins at the apex of each        inflorescence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, an exemplary ‘IBPRU41016’plant at approximately 30 months old, potted into a 13 cm nursery pot,grown outdoors in Oudenaarde, Belgium.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of theplant in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical inflorescence ofthe plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Lavandula known as ‘IBPRU41016’, based upon observations of30 month old field-grown plants in 13 cm nursery containers, produced inOudenaarde, Belgium. Plants were produced in full sun using conventionalproduction protocols for Lavandula plants which consisted of regularoverhead irrigation, slow-release fertilizer applications as needed, andpreventative fungicide applications on a monthly basis. Observation datawas recorded in June of 2017.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘IBPRU41016’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such measurements are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

A botanical description of ‘IBPRU41016’ and comparisons with the parentplants are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—A broad, spreading to upright perennial            subshrub.        -   Plant form.—Flattened globular.        -   Height.—12.8 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 18.1 cm to            the top of the floral plane.        -   Spread.—22.6 cm.        -   Plant vigor.—Low.        -   Growth rate.—Low to moderate.        -   Propagation.—Softwood stem cuttings; rooting is initiated in            approximately 10 days when grown at an ambient average            temperature of 21 degrees Celsius.        -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less            tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect            Lavandula.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 7            to 10 and temperatures to at least 40 degrees Celsius;            moderate tolerance to rain; high tolerance to wind.-   Root system: Dense fibrous root system; relatively shallow; color of    juvenile roots is nearest to yellow-white, RHS 158B; older roots are    greyed-orange, RHS 163C.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basally branching main stems; freely            branching with lateral branches. Stems and branches are            strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula. Pinching isn't            required but will improve branching.        -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—10.        -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—40.        -   Lateral branch length.—6.8 cm.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—0.2 cm.        -   Lateral branch internode length.—0.9 cm.        -   Appearance and shape.—Quadrangular.        -   Aspect of main stems.—35 degrees from vertical, on average;            varying between 0 and 70 degrees.        -   Aspect of lateral branches.—25 degrees to main stems.        -   Luster.—Matte, due to the dense woolly pubescence.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest RHS 144C.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D.        -   Color of oldest stems.—Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199A.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS            145A and N145B.        -   Pubescence.—Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm            and colored translucent white, nearest to RHS 155C.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Attitude.—Upward; apex occasionally curled upward or            downward.        -   Quantity.—Average of 8 leaves per lateral branch.        -   Fragrance.—Strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 3.8 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, on            average. Shape — Oblanceolate to narrow oblanceolate. Aspect            — Slightly twisted; slightly to moderately revolute. Apex —            Acute. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire; moderately            undulated. Apex — Acute. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;            moderately undulated. Pubescence of adaxial surface —            Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored            green-white, nearest to RHS 157D but lighter. Pubescence of            abaxial surface — Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02            cm and colored green-white, nearest to RHS 157D but lighter.            Luster of adaxial surface — Matte. Luster of abaxial surface            — Matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green,            nearest to RHS 137B. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —            Green, nearest to in between RHS 137B to 137C. Mature            foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137B.            Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS            137C. Venation — Pattern — Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148B. Venation color,            abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 138B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Terminal spike.        -   Natural flowering season.—Late spring through late summer in            Victoria, Australia.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 13 weeks.        -   Dimensions.—4.4 cm high, not including peduncle, and 1.6 cm            in diameter; the sterile bracts at the apex of each            inflorescence have an average spread of 3.2 cm.        -   Abundance of inflorescence.—Very abundant.        -   Quantity of open flowers and buds per inflorescence.—400.        -   Quantity of open flowers per plant.—Approximately 850.        -   Quantity of buds per plants.—Approximately 1,150.        -   Attitude.—Upright.        -   Peduncles.—Length — Average of 4.0 cm. Diameter — Average of            0.15 cm. Attitude — Upright; 0 degrees to the lateral            branches. Strength — Strong. Texture — Tomentose; average            length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored translucent white,            nearest to RHS 155C. Luster — Matte. Color — Yellow-green,            nearest to 150B.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—Average of 0.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average of 0.175 cm.        -   Texture.—Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and            colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A, upper half of the            bud is heavily suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS            N186A; apex where immature petals are exposed is            violet-blue, nearest to RHS 92A.-   Flower:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.        -   Form.—Salverform; petals fused into one upper lip which is            split into two identical petal lobes, and one lower lip            which is split into three identical petal lobes.        -   Flower vertical height.—0.5 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—0.45 cm.        -   Flower length.—0.7 cm.        -   Floral throat diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Floral throat texture.—Glabrous; smooth.        -   Diameter of floral tube.—0.1 cm.        -   Length of floral tube.—0.5 cm.        -   Floral tube texture, outer and inner surfaces.—Distal            one-third portion is moderately covered with a very short            pubescence with an average length of 0.3 cm and colored            white, nearest to RHS NN155D; the proximal two-thirds            portion is glabrous and smooth.        -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward facing.        -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.        -   Lastingness.—Approximately 4 weeks.        -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Pedicels.—None; flowers are sessile.        -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 2. Arrangement — Labiate; one            upper lip and one lower lip; proximal 72.5% of the petals            are fused. Shape of petal lobes — Upper and lower petal            lobes are spatulate. Dimensions, upper petal lobes — 0.6 cm            long and 0.15 cm wide. Dimensions, free portion of the lower            petal — 0.6 cm long and 0.15 cm wide. Apex — Both the upper            and lower petal lobes are obtuse. Base — Fused into a tube.            Margin — All petal lobs with entire margins which are            moderately undulated. Aspect — Slightly curled upward at the            apex of the lobes. Texture and luster of upper surface —            Velvety; matte. Texture and luster of lower surface —            Moderately velvety; slightly glossy. Petal color when            opening, upper surface — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A.            Petal color when opening, lower surface — Violet-blue,            nearest to RHS N92A. Petal color when fully opened, upper            surface — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Petal color when            fully opened, lower surface — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS            N92A. Petal venation — No venation is visible. Floral throat            color — Violet, nearest to in between RHS 83B and 83C.            Floral throat venation color — No venation is visible.            Corolla tube color, when fully opened — Violet, nearest to            in between RHS 83B and 83C, and fading white towards the            base, RHS N155D. Floral tube venation color — No venation is            visible.        -   Calyx.—Shape — Campanulate. Length — 0.6 cm. Diameter —            0.2 cm. Sepals — Length — 0.6 cm. Width — 0.075 cm.            Arrangement — Fused into a campanulate shape; proximal 83.5%            is fused. Quantity — 5. Shape — Linear; fused into a            campanulate shape. Apex — Acute. Base — Basally fused; only            the distal 16.5 percent is free. Sepal lobe margin — Entire;            not undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Glabrous,            smooth; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface —            Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored            white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color when opening,            upper surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and            striped darker, nearest to RHS 146B. Color when opening,            lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A; distal            half is heavily suffused with greyed-purple, nearest the RHS            N186A. Color when fully opened, upper surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and striped green,            nearest to in between RHS 143A and 143B. Color when fully            opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B,            and striped green, nearest to in between RHS 143A and 143B.        -   Bract.—Quantity — One fertile bract present at the base of            each group of 5 individual flowers; 7 sterile bracts at the            apex of each inflorescence. Fertile bract — Shape — Broad            rhomboidal. Dimensions — Average of 0.75 cm long and 0.65 cm            wide. Apex — Aristate. Base — Cuneate. Margins — Entire; not            undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Glabrous;            matte. Texture and luster, lower surface — Moderately            tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored            white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color, upper surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D; apex is suffused with            greyed-red, nearest to RHS 181D. Color, lower surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D; upper half is suffused            with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 185D. Venation color,            upper surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS 137B and            137C. Venation color, lower surface — Green, nearest to RHS            143A. Sterile bracts — Shape — Obovate to narrow obovate.            Dimensions — Average of 2.4 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. Apex —            Obtuse. Base — Narrow cuneate. Margins — Entire; strongly            undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Slightly to            moderately tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and            colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Texture and            luster, lower surface — Slightly to moderately tomentose;            average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored white,            nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color, upper surface —            Purple-violet, nearest to in between RHS N82A and N82B.            Color, lower surface — Purple-violet, nearest to in between            RHS N82A and N82B. Venation color, upper surface — Main vein            is purple, nearest to in between RHS N77C and N77D. Venation            color, lower surface — Main vein is purple, nearest to RHS            N77B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — 4. Anthers — Attachment — Dorsifixed.            Shape — Short kidney-shaped. Dimensions — Approximately            0.075 cm long and 0.075 cm wide. Color — Greyed-purple,            nearest to RHS N187A. Filaments — Length — 0.1 cm, on            average. Color — Violet, nearest to RHS 83A. Pollen, amount            — Moderately abundant. Pollen color — Yellow-orange, nearest            to RHS 15A.        -   Pistil.—Quantity — 1. Length — 0.4 cm. Style — Length —            0.35 cm. Color — Greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Stigma —            Shape — Club-shaped. Length — 0.05 cm. Diameter — 0.05 cm.            Color — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N187A. Ovary Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date.

Comparisons With the Parent Plants and Most Similar Commercial Variety

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IBPRU41016’ differ from its seed parent,which is also the most similar commercial variety, Lavandula ‘BlueberryRuffles’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,305), by the characteristics describedin Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘IBPRU41016’ ‘Blueberry Ruffles’ Plant height.Shorter than ‘Blueberry Slightly taller than Ruffles’. ‘IBPRU41016’.Peduncle length. Shorter than ‘Blueberry Longer than Ruffles’.‘IBPRU41016’. General coloration of Medium to dark purple. Light mauvepurple. sterile bracts.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IBPRU41016’ differ from its pollen parent,Lavandula ‘Violet Lace’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,254), by thecharacteristics described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘IBPRU41016’ ‘Violet Lace’ Growth habit. Morecompact than ‘Violet Less compact than Lace’. ‘IBPRU41016’. Plantheight. Shorter than ‘Violet Lace’. Taller than ‘IBPRU41016’. Pedunclelength. Shorter than ‘Violet Lace’. Longer than ‘IBPRU41016’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lavandulaplant named ‘IBPRU41016’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.